Pine bark extract reduces jetlag

Washington, November 6 : A bark extract from the French maritime pine tree can help reduce jet lag in passengers by nearly 50 percent, reveals a new study.

The study, carried out by G. D'Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy, and involving a brain CT scan and a scoring system, found that Pycnogenol reduced symptoms.

The findings included symptoms, found in both healthy individuals and hypertensive patients, such as fatigue, headaches, insomnia and brain edema (swelling), lower leg edema - a common condition associated with long flights.

The survey comprised of 133 passengers, taking flights having seven to nine hours duration, who had been administered with 50 mg of oral Pycnogenol three times daily, for seven days, starting two days prior to the flight.

The two-part research, which split passengers into categories of the Pycnogenol and the control, found a significant reduction of all jetlag signs and symptoms by 56 per cent in the Pycnogenol group as compared to the untreated control group.

Dr. Gianni Belcaro, a lead researcher of the study, said: "I'm encouraged by the results of the study as Pycnogenol was effective in preventing jetlag related effects without any side-effects."

The study, that sees Pycnogenol as a budding natural and safe option for long distance travellers, was published in the journal of Minerva Cardioangiologica.